Tanzanian Giants Yanga and Simba Circle Free Agent Peter Shalulile

JOHANNESBURG – Two of Tanzania’s biggest football institutions, Yanga SC and Simba SC, are reportedly monitoring former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile as he weighs his next career move following his exit from the Brazilians as a free agent.

A source in Tanzania close to the situation has revealed to The African Chronicle that it is believed both Yanga SC and Simba SC are interested in the Namibian international, with an eye on luring him across the continent to the East African football powerhouse.

“Yes, one of the teams in Tanzania. Either Simba or Yanga. And I know that Yanga officials and Simba CEO, they are on their way to South Africa to complete this. But the status, I don’t know,” the source revealed to The African Chronicle.

The interest from Dar es Salaam’s two fiercest rivals underscores the regard in which Shalulile is held across African football, and adds a new dimension to speculation over where the 32-year-old will continue his career after a decorated six-year stint at Chloorkop.

Shalulile’s departure from Mamelodi Sundowns became official at the start of July, after the club confirmed the striker would leave once his contract expired on 30 June, with both parties agreeing not to activate a one-year extension option that would have kept him in Tshwane. The move brought the curtain down on one of the most successful player-club partnerships in the history of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The Namibian marksman joined Sundowns from Highlands Park in 2020 and quickly established himself as one of the most feared strikers in South African football.

Over 228 appearances for the Brazilians, Shalulile scored 107 goals across all competitions, a return that helped him equal, and by some counts surpass, the all-time PSL scoring record previously held by South African legend Siyabonga Nomvethe.

His trophy cabinet at Sundowns swelled to nine major honours, including five league titles, a CAF Champions League crown, an African Football League title, a Nedbank Cup and an MTN8 title, cementing his status as one of the club’s greatest-ever forwards.

Speaking to Sundowns media following the confirmation of his exit, Shalulile explained that the decision to seek a fresh challenge was driven by his own ambition rather than any fallout with the club.

He said his request to leave came after working through a difficult scoring drought, describing how he had continued putting in the hard yards in training and finishing drills even when goals were not coming, before eventually asking the club’s leadership for the chance to test himself elsewhere. He also thanked Sundowns’ supporters and chairman for their support throughout his time at Chloorkop.

Sundowns themselves paid tribute to the outgoing striker in a statement released alongside confirmation of his departure, thanking him for the goals, trophies and commitment he gave the club and wishing him well for the next stage of his career.

Shalulile’s game time had noticeably declined in his final two seasons at Sundowns, with the emergence of Iqraam Rayners, Lebo Mothiba and, more recently, Brayan Leon as the club’s preferred attacking options. In the 2025/26 campaign, he made just 23 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing one assist.

Interest Beyond Africa’s Borders

Even before his exit was confirmed, Shalulile’s future had already attracted speculation from clubs outside South Africa. Libyan side Al-Ittihad, coached by former Sundowns mentor Rhulani Mokwena, had been strongly linked with the striker in the weeks leading up to his departure. There have also been reports connecting him to interests in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, though no concrete offer from that region has yet materialised.

The emerging Tanzanian interest now adds Yanga SC and Simba SC to that list of suitors. Both clubs are giants of Tanzanian football and regular participants in CAF’s continental competitions, and have in recent years shown an appetite for recruiting experienced, proven goal-scorers from other African leagues to strengthen their domestic and continental ambitions. Landing a player of Shalulile’s pedigree, a two-time PSL Footballer of the Season with a CAF Champions League winner’s medal to his name, would represent a significant statement of intent from either club.

As it stands, no formal agreement between Shalulile and any of his suitors has been confirmed. The source’s account of Yanga and Simba representatives travelling to South Africa to advance discussions suggests talks may be at an advanced stage, though the exact status of any negotiations remains unclear.

For now, Shalulile remains a free agent, free to negotiate with any club, and his eventual destination, whether it is Tanzania, North Africa, the Middle East, or a return to a PSL rival, will be one of the more closely watched transfer sagas in African football this off-season.